Ball-bearing connection



F. C. BANTIN 1930' BALL BEARING CONNECTION 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed July 14, 1926 Jan. 28, 1930.

F. c. 'BANTIN BALL BEARING CONNECTION 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed-JfiT 14; 1926 amzwz.

Reis suecl Jan. 28, 1930 UNITED STATES FREDERICK C. BANT'IN, OF SALAMANCA, NEW YORK BALL-BEARING C(SNNEQTION Original No. 1,656,970, dated January 24, 1928, Serial No. 122,478, filed July 14,1926. Application for reissue filed August 6, 1928. Serial No. 297,591.

This invention appertains generally to new and useful improvements in ball bearing connections and has more particular reference to a novel and efficient ball bearing assembly primarily designed for securing a connecting rod to the crank pin of a crank shaft.

'An important object of the present invention is to improve generally the manner of securing the connecting rod to the crank shaft so that the amount of friction between those elements will be reduced to a minimum.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide such a ball bearing connection which is capable of being easily and quickly adjusted so that any loose play existing between the various parts may be readily taken-up.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such an improved ball bearing connectionwhich consists of a minimum number of parts, all of which may be readily as- .sembled and dissembled relative to one another so that any worn or broken parts may be easily and quickly renewed.

Another object of the invention is the provision of such an improved ball bearing connection having incorporated therewith means for effectively preventing any lateral movement of the connecting rod relative to the crank shaft.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a ball bearing connection which, while simple in its construction, is nevertheless strong, sturdy and durable, one which is practical and efficient in its operation, and one which can be manufactured and placed on the market at a reasonable cost.

With these and numerous other objects in View, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and particularly pointed out in the appended claims. In the drawings forming a part of this application:

Figure 1 is a vertical transverse central sectional view through a ball bearing connection constructed in accordance with the present invention showing the manner in which the same is utilized to secure a connecting rod to the crank pin of a crank shaft.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the connection showing the same removed from the crank shaft.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a detail view of the semi-circular ring sections and the supporting rings associated therewith.

Figure 6 is a View similar to Fi ure 1 showing a somewhat modified form 0 the present 1nvention.-

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on line 77 of Figure 6.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings and especially to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive wherein has been shown one practical embodiment of the present invention, the letter A generally indicates my improved ball bearing connection for connecting the connecting rod B to the crank shaft C.

The crank shaft C is constructed with the usual throw arm 10 comprising the spaced.

- tion and it will be noted that the same is provided with a cylindrical central portion 13 and that it tapers from said portion towards its opposite ends, so that the outer ends of'the said crank pin 12 are of a less diameter than the central cylindrical portion 13 thereof. The central cylindricalp'ortion 13 is provided with a circumferential groove 14 and the diam eter of the crank pin 12 is purposely made larger at its center to compensate for the said groove14 so as not to weaken the same.

Carried by the cylindrical central portion 13 of the crank pin 12 is a two-part ring comprising the upper and lower semi-circular sections 15 and 16, each of said sections being substantially .cross-shaped in cross section as shown in Figure 1 and comprising the substantially wide base portion 17 adapted to engage the central cylindrical portion 13. Formed on the outer surface of the base portion 17 intermediate its side edges is the outwardl projecting circumferentially extending ri 18 while on tlYe' inner surface thereof is an inwardly projecting circumferentially extending rib 19 in alinement with the rib 18, the ribs 19 of the said ring sections and 16 being received within the circumferential groove 14 in the crank pin 12.

Fitted on'the base portion'17 of the semicircular ring sections 15 and 16 at opposite sides of the tongues 18 areithe ball bearing supporting rings 20 and 21, which serve to secure the said ring sections together, the outer corners of the said rings 20 and 21 being provided with annular grooves or re cesses 22 which receive the ball bearings 23 and 24. i

The outer ball bearing retaining rings 25 and 26 have their inner faces beveled as at 27 to provide annular seats for the ball bearings 23 and 24. The outer side faces of the upper and lower portions of the saidretaining rmgsare beveled as at 28 and 28 for a purpose which will be more clearly hereinafter described.

For the purpose of securing the retaining rings 25 and 26 in position, the lower end of the connecting rod B is formed with a cap 29 comprising the semi-circular top wall 30 and the divergent side walls 31 and 32, the inner surfaces of the side walls of which are adapted to snugly engage the upper outer beveled faces .28 of the retaining rings 25 and 26, the ends of the top wall 30 being formed with the outwardly directed securing lugs 33 and 34. i

A bottom cap 35 similar to the cap 29 is also provided and comprises the semi-circular bottom.wall 36 and the divergent side walls 37 and 38,-the inner surfaces of said side walls being adapted't'o snugly engage the lower outer beveled faces 28 of the retaining rings 25 and 26. The bottom wall 36 is also provided at its opposite ends with the outwardly directed securing lugs 39 and 40 adapted to aline with the lugs 33 and 34 on the cap 29. Passing respectively through the said lugs 33 and 39 and the lugs 34 and 40 are the securing bolts 41 and 42, the lower ends thereof receiving suitable lock-washers 43 and nuts- 44. Arranged on the said bolts 41 and 42 between the said securing lugs 33 and 39 and Y34 and 40 are a plurality of shims 45 and 46.

- When securing the connecting rod B tothe crankpin 12 of the crank shaftC, the sections 15 and 16 of the two-part ring are first placed in position and the inwardly extending ribs 19 thereof engaged within the circumferential groove 14 in the crank pin 12 after which the rings 20 and 21 are passed over an end of the shaft and around the angles and on to the said ring sections 15 and 16. The retaining rings 25 and 26 are then passed over an end of the shaft and around the angles and in their proper relation to the rings 20 and 21. The ball bearings 23 and.

24 are then positioned between the said remay exist between the various parts, one or more of the shims 45 and 46 is or are removed and the nuts 44 tightened whereby'to bring the caps 29 and 35 closer together and consequently press upon and force the retaining rings 25 and 26 inwardly.

In Figures 6 and 7 has been shown a somewhat modified form of the present invention and wherein the letter D generally indicates the ball bearing assembly for securing the connecting rod E to the crank shaft F. The crank shaft F includes the crank or throw arm 49 having the integral crank pin 50 formed with the central cylindrical portion 51 and tapers toward its opposite ends and is provided with a circumferentially extending rib 52. The ball bearing assembly D embodies in its construction a two-part ring including the semi-circular sections 53 and 54, each of said ring sections including a substantially wide base portion 55 adapted to rest upon the central cylindrical portion 51 of the crank pin 50, said base portions being formed on their inner surfaces and intermediate the side edges thereof with a circumferentially extending groove for receiving the circumferential rib 52. Each of the said ring sections further comprises the outwardly extending reduced intermediate portions 56 formed intermediate the side edges thereof with an outwardly projecting. tongue 57 positioned in alinement with the circumferential rib 52. Adapted to encircle the. semi-circular ring sections 53 and 54 at opposite sides of the tongues 57 are the bearing sup-porting rings 58 and 59, the outer corners thereof being formed with annular grooves for receiving the ballbearings 60 and 61.

This form of the invention also embodies the ball bearing retaining rings 62 and 63 which are secured in position by means of the top cap 64 carried by the connecting rod E and the bottom cap 65, saidretaining rings and caps being of thesame construction as'referred to herein above in connection with the preferred form of the invention, saidcaps 64 and 65 being formed with the securing lugs 66 and 67 and 68 and 69 respectively through which are inserted the securing bolts. 70 and 71, the lower ends of which receive the locking washers 72 and nuts 73. Arranged on the said bolts 70 and 71 between the said securing lugs 66 and 68 and 67 and 69 respectively are crank shaft F, the semi-circular ring sections Y53 and 54 are first placed'in position over the circumferential rib 52 after which the supporting rings 58 and 59 are placed in position on the ring sections as set forth hereinabove. The retaining rings 62 and 63 are then slipped over the opposite ends of the crank shaft and the ball bearings 60 and 61 then placed in position after which the said retaining rings are firmly clamped in position by means of the caps 64 and 65. Should it be desired to take up any play between the various parts, one or more of the shims 74 and 75 may be removed and the nuts 73 tightened whereby to force the retaining rings inwardly.

The ball bearing supporting rings of each form of the bearing constitute inner race members, the ball bearing retaining rings of each form constitute outer race members, and the caps of each form constitute a sectional casing for the outer race members. The casing sections are connected in a manner to per-' mit them to be adjusted radially inward and outward with respect to each other. During the inward relative adjustment of the casing sections, the outer race members, due to the contacting beveled faces of the sections and race members, are moved axially in the direc tion of each other with the result that any wear in the parts of the bearingwill be compensated for.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the essential difference between the preferred form of the invention and the form shown in Figures 6 and 7 lies in the manner of securing the semi-circular ring sections to the crank pin so as to prevent any lateral movement of p the connecting rod relative to the crank shaft.

While the foregoing description has been confined to the use of the present invention in association with a connecting rod, it is of course to be understood, that with a few ininor changes, the same may be readily adapted for use as a main bearing.

Changes in the detail of construction may be resorted to without departing from or sacrificing the spirit of the invention so long as such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. An anti-friction bearing structure of the character described, comprising a split annular band, the sections thereof being designed to be positioned in 'end-to-end relation about a cylindrical body, a centrally positioned circumferentially extending tongue carried by each band section and forming with the assembled sections a complete annular outstanding tongue, a. ball bearing supporting ring designed to engage o er the assembled sections upon each side of said tongue, each ring having a circumferentially extending groove formed at the outer corner thereof, and a pair of ball bearing retaining rings, each designed to be positioned with the inner face thereof in opposition to the grooved portion of a supporting ring, to maintain a plurality of bearing balls in'position against the adjacent supporting ring.

2. An anti-friction bearing structure of the character described, comprising a split annular band, the sections thereof being designed to be positioned in end-to-end relation about a cylindrical body, a centrally positioned circun' ferentially extending tongue carried by each band section and forming with the assembled sections a complete annular outstanding tongue, a ball bearing supporting ring designed to engage over the assembled band sections upon each side of said tongue, each ring having a circumferentially extending groove formed at the outer corner thereof, and a pair of ball bearing retaining rings,

each designed to be positioned with the inner face thereof in opposition to the grooved portion of a supporting ring, to maintain a plurality of bearing balls in position against the adjacent supporting rin and a retaining rib member formed circum erentially of the inner face of each of said band sections to set up an annular rib designed for engagement in a receiving groove formed in and about the cylindrical body.

3. A bearing structure of the character described, comprising a pair of semi-annular members designed to be positioned in" end-toend relation about a supporting cylindrical body, each of said members having formed in the inner face thereof, a circumferentially extending groove designed to receive a retaining flange or rib carried by the cylindrical body, each of said members further having at the central portion of the outer face thereof, a relatively wide circumferentially extending rib and a relatively narrow circumferentially extending rib formed centrally of the first mentioned rib, a pair of ball bearing supporting rings each having formed at the inner edge of one side thereof, a circumferentially extending angular recess, said rings each being designed to engage over the assembled annular member at one side of the central rib portions thereof and receiving in its angular recess the adjacent edge of the rib of greater width, each ring further having the outer corner of the opposite face provided with a circumferentially extending groove designed to receive bearing ball members, and a ball retaining ring designed to co-act with each of said supporting rings for maintaining bearing balls in position upon the supporting rings. l

4. In a ball bearing connection, in combination with one of the parts to be connected, a sectional annular inner ball race unit supporting member, said part and said member having interengaging means, when the sections of said member are assembled together about" said part, one piece annular inner ball races fitted over the opposite ends of said sectional member to hold the sections of said member in assembled position, a pair of spaced outer ball races, ball bearings fitted between the outer and inner ball races, and means forming the other part to be connected receiving the outer ball races and holding said races in assembled position.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

FREDERICK C. BANTIN. 

